IBM scientists have discovered the first new class of polymer in decades – it’s strong, lightweight, self-healing, can be recycled down to its base materials and may change manufacturing.

Publishing in the peer-reviewed journal Science, the IBM team – along with collaborators from UC Berkeley, Eindhoven University of Technology and King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) – describe a material that may change manufacturing.

The new materials are the first to show a strength higher than bone, resist cracking, and have some potential to reform to their original shape (also called self-healing). Though the material is brittle, when it’s mixed with carbon nanofibers and subjected to heat it forms an extremely durable, lightweight material that’s comparable to metal. Another gel form of the polymer can reform when cut, making it useful as an adhesive.

However, the most interesting is that acidic water can melt both forms of the polymer down so it can be reformed into new products. This means that the polymer can be removed and recycled without affecting the surrounding materials – a chemical process that would reduce cost and waste.

Read More »